Kep National Park hike: the loop trail, Sunset Rock and what to expect in 2026

Kep National Park is the forested hill rising directly behind Kep town. The main circuit is about 8 km and takes 2–3 hours on foot. Most of the main track is now a wide concrete path that the odd scooter also uses, and a steeper side trail climbs to the Sunset Rock viewpoint. Foreigners pay about $1 (around 4,000 riel) at the entrance or to a ranger on the trail. Go early in the morning, carry more water than you think you'll need, and finish with a crab lunch at the market below.

Kep National Park at a glance

The main track in 2026: concrete, not a jungle path

Older blogs describe a dirt track waymarked with yellow paint. That has changed: most of the main track has been paved in recent years, and visitors now describe a well-kept concrete path wide enough for motorbikes, with benches at the viewpoints. It's easy to follow, with a few long uphill drags.

Much of it is shaded, but not all: a visitor in February 2026 found stretches dusty, in full sun and busy with scooters. Near the high point, a viewing tower (about 12 m, by one visitor's estimate) looks down on the coast. On a clear day you can see Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) just offshore and the long outline of Phu Quoc, Vietnam's island, on the horizon.

One practical catch: the park track doesn't bring you back to where you started. It comes out on the road on the far side of the hill, towards the Rabbit Island pier, a few kilometres from the main entrance, so the "8 km loop" includes the walk back along the road. Either do that last stretch on foot or have your tuk-tuk meet you at the exit.

Sunset Rock and the "Stairway to Heaven"

The best part of the park is off the main track. A steeper trail known as the "Stairway to Heaven" climbs past a small pagoda and a nunnery to Sunset Rock, where the forest suddenly opens onto a wide view of the coast. One way up starts beside Wat Samot Raingsey, a modest temple at the foot of the hill.

This is the real forest walk: dirt and rock underfoot, steep in places, with ropes fixed on some sections, and slippery after rain. The short Sunset Rock loop that hiking apps list is about 3 km, with around 250 m of climbing, and takes 1.5–2 hours.

For the actual sunset, the sun goes down between about 5:30 and 6:30pm depending on the month. Get to the rock an hour before, and bring a torch, because you'll walk down in the dusk. Other paths across the hill are often overgrown and poorly marked; stick to the main track and the well-used side trails.

Led Zep Café

A few minutes' walk from the main entrance, Led Zep Café is a small hillside terrace with sea views, known for its crêpes. Its people painted the original yellow waymarks and used to hand out a trail map. The French founder has since died, but Cambodian owners run it and 2025 reports show it open. Hours are irregular in the low season, and it has closed for part of the rainy season before, so don't rely on it for water. Bring cash.

Monkeys, butterflies and other wildlife

• Long-tailed macaques are the animals you're most likely to meet, sometimes in big troops. Keep food and plastic bags out of sight, don't feed them, and give them room.
• Butterflies are common along the shaded stretches. There's also a small butterfly garden near the far end of the park, towards the Rabbit Island pier. At last report it asked for a small entry fee or donation.
• Squirrels, monitor lizards and birds turn up in many visitors' reports, and snakes occasionally. Wear closed shoes and watch where you step on the side trails.

Be realistic: some midday walkers see almost nothing. Mornings, before the heat and the scooters, are best.

Best time to go

Time of day: start by 7 or 8am and you'll be done before the worst of the heat between 11am and 2pm. The other good window is late afternoon, for Sunset Rock.

Season: the dry season, roughly November or December to April, gives dry trails and the clearest views out to sea. December to February is the driest stretch, and April and May are the hottest months. In the rainy season (May to October) the forest is at its greenest, but the side trails get muddy and showers usually come in the afternoon, so walk in the morning. See our best time to visit Kampot and rainy season guides.

Heat, water and what to bring

• Water: 1.5–2 litres per person for the circuit, more with Sunset Rock. Daytime highs are 30–33 °C all year.
• Shoes with grip. Trainers are fine; flip-flops aren't, on the side trails.
• Hat, sun cream and insect repellent.
• Small notes in dollars or riel for the fee and a drink.
• An offline map. Phone signal is patchy on the hill; one visitor in 2026 found almost none.
• A torch if you're staying for sunset.

Don't count on toilets: one visitor in 2025 found the one at the park closed.

Is it worth it?

Yes, if you want a few hours of shade, sea views and a good chance of monkeys, a short ride from the crab market. Less so if you're expecting wilderness: the main track is concrete and shared with motorbikes, some reviewers mention litter, and the best viewpoint takes a steep climb. On a single day in Kep, a short section or Sunset Rock alone is plenty.

Combining the walk with the crab market and Rabbit Island

• A Kep morning: leave Kampot around 7am, walk from about 8 to 10:30, then have lunch at the Kep crab market. Stop at the salt fields on the way home; workers are out from about January to May.
• The classic Kampot and Kep day: if you're also doing the countryside stops, there isn't time for the full circuit. Do a short section after lunch, or skip the park.
• With Rabbit Island: walk early, eat crab around 11:30, then take the boat that usually leaves Kep around 1pm. That only works if the last boat back is around 4pm, so check at the pier; otherwise give the island its own day. See Rabbit Island from Kampot.

Getting there from Kampot

Kep is about 25 km from Kampot, 35–45 minutes by tuk-tuk on a flat road. The main entrance is on the hillside road above town, behind Veranda Natural Resort, and there's another way in behind Kep Lodge. By scooter, wear a helmet: the hill roads are steep. A private tuk-tuk can drop you at the main entrance and meet you at the far end, saving the walk back along the road. Typical private full days from Kampot to Kep run about $35–45 per tuk-tuk; Seth confirms a fixed price on WhatsApp. See Kampot to Kep by tuk-tuk and our tuk-tuk prices.

Ride with Seth

Seth's Kampot & Kep Full Day covers the countryside in the morning and the crab market at lunchtime. Would you rather walk in the park, with a pickup at the far exit? Tell him when you message Seth for a fixed quote on WhatsApp. Seth was born in Kampot and has guided for 12 years.

FAQ

How long is the Kep National Park loop?

About 8 km including the road back to the start: 2–3 hours on foot. Add 1.5–2 hours for Sunset Rock.

Is there an entrance fee for Kep National Park?

Yes: about $1 per foreign visitor (around 4,000 riel). Pay at the booth by the entrance, or to a ranger on the trail if the booth is empty. Keep your ticket.

Is the Kep National Park hike difficult?

The main track is easy: mostly concrete, with a few long climbs. The trail up to Sunset Rock is steep and rocky, with ropes in places, and slippery after rain.

Will I see monkeys in Kep National Park?

Probably. Long-tailed macaques are common, especially in the morning. Keep food out of sight and don't feed them.

Can I do Kep National Park and the crab market in one day from Kampot?

Yes: walk in the morning, then have crab for lunch. With the countryside stops as well, there's only time for a short section.